Vienna Coffeehouse Culture

The Viennese coffeehouse has historically played a crucial role in the shaping of culture in Vienna. Today, this unique phenomenon is well known all around the world and attracts numerous visitors from abroad, as well as locals.

Café Landtmann

Café Landtmann

Café Central

Café Central

Café Central

Café Schwarzenberg

Café Schwarzenberg

Café Museum

Café Museum

The Vienna Coffeehouse

The Viennese coffeehouse is simply unique. When referring to the typical Viennese coffeehouse, there are a certain number of social practices and rituals that create a very specific atmosphere. Apart from a wide variety of coffees and pastries as well as international newspapers, the Viennese coffeehouse is famous for its marble top tables, Thonet chairs, newspaper holders and chandeliers.

But what precisely does the Viennese coffeehouse stand for apart from perfectly brewed coffee?

“The Viennese Coffeehouse is like my second living room - it is here that I get my everyday inspiration. ”

Well, it’s quite simple – it represents social life at its best. It is a place where all sorts of individuals meet to discuss their dreams, to reflect on their thoughts, to share their ideas, to compose masterpieces, to read or just to quietly sit and watch our colourful lives happen. With a single cup of coffee, which traditionally comes served on a silver tray with a glass of water, you are entitled to linger in the coffeehouse for hours and hours, even if you never order anything else, making you feel at home. It is here, in this amazing institution full of history, emotions and life, where poetry comes to life.

World of poetry

Find out more about Julius Meinl's World of Poetry and get inspired

UNESCO World Cultural Heritage

As the ambassador for Viennese coffeehouse culture since 1862, Julius Meinl is very proud of this achievement.

In November 2011, Viennese coffeehouse culture was officially included in the UNESCO National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. According to UNESCO’s statement: typical for Viennese Coffeehouses are marble tables, on which the coffee is served, Thonet chairs, boxes (loges), newspaper tables and interior design details in the Historicism style. The coffee houses are a place where time and space are consumed, but only coffee is found on the bill.